diff --git a/src/gtk/tbargtk.cpp b/src/gtk/tbargtk.cpp
index 11add68444..f89ba2dd8d 100644
--- a/src/gtk/tbargtk.cpp
+++ b/src/gtk/tbargtk.cpp
@@ -273,9 +273,11 @@ void gtktoolwidget_size_callback( GtkWidget *widget,
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 static void wxInsertChildInToolBar( wxToolBar* WXUNUSED(parent),
-                                    wxWindow* WXUNUSED(child) )
+                                    wxWindow* child)
 {
-    // we don't do anything here
+     // Child widget will be inserted into GtkToolbar by DoInsertTool. Ref it
+     // here so reparenting into wxToolBar doesn't delete it.
+     g_object_ref(child->m_widget);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -509,7 +511,9 @@ bool wxToolBar::DoInsertTool(size_t pos, wxToolBarToolBase *toolBase)
                                        (const char *) NULL,
                                        posGtk
                                       );
-                                      
+            // release reference obtained by wxInsertChildInToolBar
+            g_object_unref(tool->GetControl()->m_widget);
+
             // connect after in order to correct size_allocate events
             g_signal_connect_after (tool->GetControl()->m_widget, "size_allocate",
                           G_CALLBACK (gtktoolwidget_size_callback), tool->GetControl());